Rail-chair.



' A. G'. LIEBMANN.

RAIL CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED APLZS, 191s. RENEWED DEG, 14, 1914.

1,126,503, Patented Jan. 26, 1915.

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UNTTED STATES PATENT @FFTQE.

AUGUST G. LIEBIVIANN, 0F BUTTE, MONTANA, ASSIGNOR TO VIGNOLES RAIL CHAIR COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., .5. CORPORATION OF DELAVTARE.

BAIL-CHAIR.

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Application filed April 28, 1913, Serial No. 764,154.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, AUGUs'r G. LIEBMANN, citizen of the United States, residing at Butte, in the County of Silverbow and State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bail-Chairs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to track appliance and particularly to rail chairs for supporting and holding the rails in fixed position upon the ties.

At the present time it is the practice throughout almost all of the railroads of the United States to attach the rails to the ties by means of driven spikes. This practice has many disadvantages. The lateral thrust upon rails tends to cause the spikes to wear the tie and enlarge the openings formed by the spikes, and lateral thrust further tends to tip the rail upon the edge of one base flange so that the other base flange will withdraw the spikes or at least loosen them. One reason for this is that the spikes only grip the margins of the rail base and that there is nothing to support and buttress the head of the rail to prevent any tipping action. Another trouble incident to the use of spikes as a means of attaching rails to ties is due to the action of frost in raising a certain portion of a rail or a certain portion of a section of track. Where screw-spikes are used there will be a tendency at the point where the rail or section of track starts to rise to withdraw the spikes and if the spikes are so driven as to be practically unwithdrawable, as in the case of screw-spikes the spikes will either have their heads sheared or the base flange of the rail will be sheared. Many accidents are due to these causes. 7

The primary object of my invention is the provision of means whereby a rail may be held firmly seated upon the ties without the use of cut or screw-spikes in direct contact with the rail and whereby primary and secondary fastening means may be provided,

the primary means holding a chair to the,

ties while the secondary means hold the rail to the chair in semi-resilient retention.

A further object of the invention is to so construct the secondary fastening means that the rail may be either laterally or vertically adjusted within the chair and held firmly in its adjusted position.

A further object is to provide bracing Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 26, 1915.

Renewed December 1 1-, 1914. Serial No. 877,273.

members so formed and disposed that the lateral thrust exerted upon the head of the rail will be translated into a nearly vertical thrust, thus resisting any tendency to tip, said bracing members compensating for the deflection of the rail under stress.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the rail may be readily shifted laterally and shimmed without the necessity of using a section gang for the purpose and without the necessity of withdrawing the permanent fastenings of the chair.

Another object of the invention is to so construct the bed plate of my improved chair that it may be made from a standard structural form, thus minimizing the cost of making the chair which is a vital necessity in this art.

Other objects will appear in the course of the following description.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure l is a perspective view of a tie and rail with my improved chair applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 22 of Fig.

3; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 2.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the accompanying drawings by the same reference characters.

Referring to these drawings, A designates a tie which may be made of any suitable material but is shown as of wood.

B designates the rail which may be of any form but which is shown as a rail of a standard type. The rail is seated upon a bed plate 2. This bed plate has preferably the width of the tie. The bed plate is perforated adjacent its four corners for the passage of screw spikes designated 3. These screw spikes may be of any suitable construction. At opposite ends of the bed plate vertical abutments 4c are formed. These abutments consist of webs extending at right angles to the line of the rail and parallel to the length of the bed plate. The abutments are disposed opposite to each other and along the middle line of the bed plate. Each abutment has a vertical inside edge face 5 and an outwardly and downwardly inclined outer edge face 6. The upper portion of each abutment is formed with a bulb 7 which is longitudinally bored as at 8. The

bulb 7 at the upper end of each abutment is transversely slotted as at 10.

Disposed on each side of the web of the rail and bearing at their upper ends against the under side of the head of the rail and at their lower ends bearing over the flange of the rail are the rail braces 11. These braces are downwardly and outwardly inclined. The upper ends of the braces are inwardly extended as at 12 to fit beneath the head of the rail at its intersection with the web-and at their lower ends have upwardly and inwardly inclined extensions 18 which fit over the base flange of the rail. Each brace is horizontally extended at its lower end as at 14%, this horizontal extension being adapted to fit over or around the corresponding abutment. Each extension 1a is slotted as at 14* so that the extension may fit around the corresponding abutment, that is, fit over said abutment, thus preventing the rail braces from having any movement longitudinally .of the rail but permitting the rail braces to be adjusted vertically and laterally independently of said abutments. Each of the rail braces is formed at its middle with a vertical rib 15. The face of this rib is formed with a plurality of notches 16. Each notch has a vertical inner wall which intersects the face of the rib 15. As illustrated, there are three of these notches but I do not wish to be limited. to this number.

Disposed between the rail braces 11 and the abutments 4 are the wedges 17. Each wedge has an outer vertical flat face which is adapted to engage with the vertical inner face of the corresponding abutment, and the inner face of each wedge is downwardly and outwardly beveled parallel. to the inclination of the rib 16. The inner face of each wedge is grooved as at 18 to fit over the corresponding rib 16. Each wedge is formed with a plurality of horizontally disposed perforations 19, and passing through the bore 8 of the bulb 7 of each abutment is a drift bolt 20. When either bolt is forced home it will pass through the corresponding wedge passage and into one of the notches 16. When the wedges are forced downward to their full extent, the drift bolt 20 will engage the uppermost notch 16 of the corresponding rail brace. \Vhen the wedge is raised a certain distance, the drift belt :20 will fit in the next bore or passage 19, and when the wedge is fully raised the drift bolt 20 will pass into the lowermost bore or passage 19. If the rail and rail brace be raised, the bolt will enter the corresponding notch in the rail brace. The drift bolts 20 are held in place by means of cotter pins or bolts 21 which pass through the slots 10 formed in the bulb 8 as previously stated. These cotter pins or belts or any other suitable fastening devices will prevent the withdrawal of the drift bolt, and thus prevent loosening of the wedges. While I have illustrated cotter pins as the means for preventing the withdrawal of the drift bolt 20, I might use more positive locking means for this purpose.

The operation and advantages of my invention will. be obvious from what has gone before. This construction permits the rail to be readily shifted laterally by partly withdrawing one of the wedges and driving in the other wedge. This will shift the rail and the rail braces. By withdrawing the wedges, the rail is unlocked and may then be raised by inserting a shim between the base of the rail and the rail seat on the chair.

It will be, of course, noted that by reason of the extensions 14 of the rail braces being bifurcated, the rail braces will rise and lower with the rail under stress of loads but that they will be held from any independent longitudinal movement with respect to the rail and will resist any twisting strain.

It will be seen from Fig. 1 that the cross section of the bed-plate has a section similar to the section of a bulb T-bar with a hole drilled in the bulb to permit the passage of the drift bolt. This is a well known structural shape and hence the chair may be very readily made. It is further pointed out that the rail is supported by the rail braces which prevent any lateral or vertical movement of the rail, and these inturn are supported by the abutments and wedges. It is obvious that the tie may be treated or covered with water-proof material beneath the bed plate so as to prevent rotting of the tie as much as possible. The braces can not move longitudinally of the rail inasmuch as there is an interlocking engagement between the wedges and the braces, nor can the wedges move longitudinally or parallel to the rail because of the drift bolt.

Particular attention may be called in connection with my improved rail chair to the oflicial report of the Block Signal and Train Control Board of the Interstate Commerce Commission, this report being dated June 29, 1912, wherein certain requirements are laid down for rail supports and wherein the board says: A fundamental defect in design whieh is most apparent is the failure to realize and appreciate the overturning movement due to the wheel flange pressure against the head ofthe rail. It is not sufficient that the tie should support the vertical loads and resist directly horizontal thrusts and the tendency of the track to move laterally and longitudinally, but the overturning movement must be resisted. In order that the tie may properly support the stresses transmitted to it by the rail, a suitable fastening of the rails to the ties is most essential. Further the report states that under conditions existing in a large pro- 1 portion of the railroads in this country the means of adjustment of rail to tie must be such as to admit of blocking up or shimming. The board further says that adequate means should be provided for shimming or for widening gage and this means should not involve lost motion and change of adjustment. It is pointed out that my improved rail chair, as heretofore described, conforms to all of the requirements referred to in this report and at the same'time that the fastenings are not of a complicated na ture and that the chairs may be made relatively cheap.

What I claim is:

1. A rail chair comprising a bed plate having spaced abutments, rail bracing members disposed between the abutments and adapted to engage one on each side of a rail, a vertically movable wedge interposed be tween each abutment and the corresponding bracing member, and means passing through the abutments and locking the wedges in adjusted positions, said means engaging the corresponding bracing member.

2. A rail chair comprising a bed plate having spaced abutments, said abutments extending longitudinally of the chair and transversely to the rail to be supported thereon, rail bracing members disposed between said abutments and adapted to en-- gage one on each side of a rail, vertically movable wedges disposed between the abutments and the bracing members, and looking means passing through said abutments, through said wedging members and into engagement with the bracing members.

3. A rail chair comprising a bed plate having spaced abutments extending longi tudinally of the bed plate, each of these abutments having vertical inner edges, downwardly-and outwardly inclined rail braces disposed between said abutments and adapted to engage with a rail, a vertically movable wedge disposed between the inside edge of each abutment and the corresponding rail brace, said wedges having vertical outer faces and downwardly and outwardly inclined inner faces, and horizontally disposed drift bolts adapted to hold said wedges in any adjusted position.

4:. A rail chair comprising a bed plate having spaced abutments extending longitudinally of the bed plate, each of these abutments having vertical inner edges,

I downwardly and outwardly inclined rail braces disposed between said abutments and adapted to engage with a rail, a vertically movable wedge disposed between the inside edge of each abutment and the corresponding rail brace, said wedges having vertical outer faces and downwardly and outwardly inclined inner faces, and a'dri ft bolt passing through the upper end of each abutment, passing through the corresponding wedge and engaging with the corresponding rail brace.

A rail chair comprising a bed plate having spaced upwardly extending abutments, said abutments extending longitudinally of the bed plate and transversely to the line of the rail, rail braces disposed between the abutments and adapted to engage a rail between them, each rail brace having a horizontal extension slotted to fit around the corresponding abutment and each rail brace having a downwardly and outwardly inclined outer face, a wedge disposed be tween each abutment and the corresponding brace, and means for holding said wedges in any vertically adjusted position.

6. A rail chair comprising a bed plate having spaced abutments, said abutments being disposed oppositely to each other and extending transversely to the line of the rail supported on the bed plate, each abutment being formed with a bulb at its upper end longitudinally bored, downwardly and outwardly inclined rail braces supported between said abutments, opposite wedges disposed one between each rail brace and the corresponding abutment, said wedges being transversely bored, and a drift bolt passing through the bore of each abutment and through one of the bores of the corresponding wedge.

7. A rail chair comprising a bed plate having spaced abutments, said abutments being disposed oppositely to each other and extending transversely to the line of the rail supported on the bed plate, each abutment being formed with a bulb at its upper end longitudinally bored, downwardly and outwardly inclined rail braces supported between said abutments, opposite wedges dis posed one between each rail brace and the corresponding abutment. said wedges being transversely bored, and a drift bolt passing through the bore of each abutment and through one of the bores of the corresponding wedge, each rail brace being formed upon its outer face with a plurality of notches adapted to receive the end of the corresponding drift bolt.

8. A rail chair comprising a bed plate having vertically disposed, laterally spaced abutments, said abutments extending transversely to the line of the rail to be supported on the bed plate, each abutment at its upper end being longitudinally bored, rail braces disposed between the abutments and each having a downwardly and outwardly inclined outer face, each rail brace at its lower end being horizontally extended, the horizontal extension being slotted to fit around the corresponding abutment, vertically movable wedges having downwardly and outwardly inclined inner faces coacting with the braces and disposed between the braces and the abutments, each wedge having a plurality of longitudinal bores, and the face of each rail brace being correspondingly notched, and a drift bolt passing through the bore of each abutment, through one of the bores of the corresponding wedge and into a corresponding notch in the rail brace.

9. A rail chair comprising a bed plate having vertically disposed, laterally spaced abutments, said abutments extending transversely to the line of the rail to be supported on the bed plate, each abutment at its upper end being longitudinally bored, rail braces disposed between the abutments and each having a downwardly and outwardly inclined outer face, each rail brace at its lower end being horizontally extended, the horizontal extension being slotted to fit around the corresponding abutment, vertically movable wedges having downwardly and outwardly inclined inner faces coacting with the braces and disposed between the braces and the abutments, each wedge having a plurality of longitudinal bores and the face of each rail brace being correspondingly notched, a drift bolt passing through the bore of each abutment, through one of the bores of the corresponding wedge and into a corresponding notch in the rail brace, and means for holding the drift bolts in place.

10. The combination with a tie and a rail, of a chair for supporting the rail comprising a bed plate having upstanding abutments extending transversely of the rail and spaced from each other a distance greater than the width of the rail base, downwardly and outwardly inclined rail braces engaging one on each side of the rail beneath the head thereof and over the base flange thereof, means for preventing movement of the braces longitudinally of the rail but permitting the braces to have vertical and lateral movement, vertically movable wedges engaging between saidbraces and the abutments, and means extending longitudinally through the abutments for locking the wedges in any vertically adjusted position.

11. A rail chair comprising a bed-plate having an abutment, a rail brace having its outer face inclined downwardly and provided with a rib, a vertically movable wedge disposed between the abutment and rail brace and provided with a recess adapted to receive the rib, and means passing through the abutment and locking the wedge in adjusted positions.

12. In a rail chair, a bed-plate having spaced upstanding abutments, a rail adapted to be supported on the bed-plate or a shim between said abutments and adjustable laterally and vertically with respect to the bedplate, rail braces having upper and lower lateral extensions, the upper extensions serving to support the rail against outward thrust and vertical and tipping deflection of the rail, and the lower extensions engaging the base flange of the rail and holding the rail against lateral thrust and inward vertical and tipping thrust, said rail braces at the lower extensions engaging the abutments, and means for supporting the rail in different positions of adjustment.

13. A rail chair including a bed-plate having oppositely disposed abutments, laterally and vertically movable wedges disposed against said abutments, and rail braces disposed between said wedges, the wedges and the rail braces having interlocking engagement with each other.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

AUGUST Gr. LIEBMANN. [L.S.]

Witnesses FREDERIC B. WRIGHT, J. D. YOAKLEY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

